Corey - I'm Just Corey (2002)

Corey proves himself to be more than just a boy with a cute toothy smile on I'm Just Corey, his debut album for Motown Records. Unlike fellow teen pop-rappers Lil' Bow Wow and Lil' Romeo (and Lil' J, etc.), Corey doesn't rap, but sings instead, making him a little less edgy but undoubtedly more of a hearthrob for little girls and more of a potential pop star for Motown, who is no doubt hoping to cash in on the early-2000s teen-pop boom. The albums gets off to a lively start with "Hush Lil' Lady," a collaboration with Lil' Romeo and Lil' Reema that is driven by an edgy rhythm that's not far removed from British 2-step or some of Timbaland's more eccentric work. Elsewhere, Corey collaborates with Shaquille O'Neal on "MVP" and Michael Jackson on "All I Do." On the remainder of the songs he's solo, singing "adorable little boy" songs like "If I Was Older" and "Cutest Girl." So, even though it's inevitable to feel that Corey is little more than a cash-in effort by Motown, you can't help but like the boy; after all, he has a cute toothy smile and reminds you of another "lil'" Motown teen artist from the label's golden era: Little Stevie Wonder.~ Review by Jason Birchmeier